Device for examining plankton

ABSTRACT

A plankton examination apparatus comprises: a sub-pipe in which a transparent pipe unit; a light source unit which radiates only blue-series light; a detection unit which receives light radiated in the direction on the other side outside the transparent pipe unit through the transparent pipe unit from the light source unit and generates an image of the plankton; and a dichroic mirror installed between the transparent pipe unit and the detection unit in such a way as to transmit only red-series light which belongs to the light radiated by the light source unit and passed through the transparent pipe unit and has a wavelength of 620 nm to 780 nm and to deliver the red-series light to the detection unit.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a plankton examination apparatus and,more particularly, to a plankton examination apparatus capable ofgenerating an image of plankton for a sample from a pipeline itself evenwithout obtaining a separate sample and determining the number ofindividuals of plankton included in the sample.

The present invention relates to a plankton examination apparatus.

The check of the number of individuals of plankton is treated as veryimportant in order to protect a marine ecosystem in other areas due toballast water in addition to a detailed check and research for an algalbloom or red tide phenomenon.

The check of the number of individuals of plankton is measures forpreventing damage to the marine ecosystem attributable to ballast waterincluded in a vessel travelling between countries. This is aprecondition for preferentially performing processing on planktonincluded in ballast water which may threaten the marine ecosystem ofanother area if a vessel that has departed from a specific areadischarges the ballast water in order to lie in another area.

In particular, in order to prevent ecological and economic damage whichmay be generated by a movement of ballast water and to preservebiological diversity, the International Maritime Organization (IMO)adopted “International Convention for the Control and Management ofShips' Ballast Water and Sediments (BWM)” on February 2004.

Specifically, methods which may be used to process ballast wateraccording to the criteria of the adopted convention may be basicallydivided into two kinds. The first is an in-line processing method, andthe second is an in-tank processing method. The in-line processingmethod is a method for processing ballast water when the ballast wateris introduced and discharged. The in-tank processing method is a methodfor processing ballast water on the voyage after the ballast water isintroduced. Current international ballast water processing technologiesinclude the in-line processing method. In the in-tank processing method,the size of a processing apparatus may be reduced compared with thein-line processing method, but efficiency is practically reconsideredbecause processing speed needs to be conditioned by taking hours underway into consideration.

In both the methods, the number of individuals of problematic planktonincluded in ballast water is checked, a corresponding proper processingmethod is capable of being selected, and a test regarding whetherproblematic plankton included in discharged ballast water has beenprocessed according to criteria must be performed by performing thefinal test for ballast water discharged before the processed ballastwater is discharged.

However, an expert examination apparatus for checking the number ofindividuals of plankton included in ballast water has not been providedso far.

Accordingly, in an existing plankton examination apparatus, only amethod for photographing a sample and determining, by an expert,determining the number of individuals of problematic plankton includedin the sample by determining an image of the photographed sample withthe naked eye is performed. Such an existing method has a problem inthat it is very difficult to accurately calculate the number ofindividuals of problematic plankton included in a sample.

A background art of the present invention is disclosed in Korean PatentApplication Publication No. 10-1995-7001601, etc., but does not suggesta solution for the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention made to solve the aforementionedproblems is to provide a plankton examination apparatus including alight source unit, an optical filter, and a detection unit installed toexamine plankton included in a transparent pipe unit formed in asub-pipe, thereby being capable of checking the number of individuals ofplankton included in a sample by detecting a fluorescent characteristicof the plankton included in the sample from a pipeline itself evenwithout obtaining a separate sample.

Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide aplankton examination apparatus including an image acquisition unit fordetecting a fluorescent characteristic of a sample and generating animage of the sample and an image processing unit for checking the numberof individuals of plankton included in the generated image, therebybeing capable of checking the accurate number of individuals of planktonincluded in a sample by checking, by the image processing unit, aplurality of pixels that continuously emits light in an image of thesample displayed on a screen as a single plankton object.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a plankton examinationapparatus capable of precisely checking only the number of individualsof actually problematic target plankton and/or active plankton bypreviously setting conditions of the number of pixels for a plurality ofpixels emitting light to form a single object and/or conditions ofaverage brightness or intensity of light of a plurality of pixelsemitting light to form a single object.

In accordance with a characteristic of the present invention forachieving the above objects, the present invention includes a sub-pipein which a transparent pipe unit 50 including a light-transmittingmember formed in some section of the sub-pipe and through which a sampleincluding plankton moves; a light source unit 150 which radiates onlyblue-series light having a wavelength of 380 nm to 480 nm from adirection on one side outside the transparent pipe unit to a directionon the other side of the transparent pipe unit; a detection unit 120which receives light radiated in the direction on the other side outsidethe transparent pipe unit through the transparent pipe unit from thelight source unit and generates an image of the plankton included in thesample flowing through the transparent pipe unit; and a dichroic mirror112 installed between the transparent pipe unit and the detection unitin such a way as to transmit only red-series light which belongs to thelight radiated by the light source unit and passed through thetransparent pipe unit and has a wavelength of 620 nm to 780 nm and todeliver the red-series light to the detection unit.

Furthermore, in accordance with another characteristic of the presentinvention for achieving the above objects, the present inventionincludes a sub-pipe in which a transparent pipe unit 50 including alight-transmitting member formed in some section of the sub-pipe andthrough which a sample including plankton moves; a light source unit 150which radiates light from a direction on one side outside thetransparent pipe unit to a direction on the other side of thetransparent pipe unit; a detection unit 120 which receives lightradiated in the direction on the other side outside the transparent pipeunit through the transparent pipe unit from the light source unit andgenerates an image of the plankton included in the sample flowingthrough the transparent pipe unit; an excitation filter 111 installedbetween the light source unit and the transparent pipe unit in such away as to transmit only blue-series light belonging to the lightradiated by the light source unit 150 and having a wavelength of 380 nmto 480 nm and to deliver the blue-series light to the transparent pipeunit; and a dichroic mirror 112 installed between the transparent pipeunit and the detection unit in such a way as to transmit only red-serieslight which belongs to the light radiated by the light source unit andpassed through the transparent pipe unit through the excitation filterand has a wavelength of 620 nm to 780 nm and to deliver the red-serieslight to the detection unit.

In this case, a first light induction member which prevents interferencewith external light and allows the light radiated by the light sourceunit to be delivered to the transparent pipe unit through the excitationfilter without interference is coupled between the light source unit andthe transparent pipe unit. A second light induction member whichprevents interference with external light, penetrates the transparentpipe unit, and allows light reflected by the plankton included in thesample to be focused on the detection unit is coupled between thetransparent pipe unit and the detection unit.

Furthermore, the detection unit 120 includes an image acquisition unit121 which detects light reflected by the plankton included in thesample, generates the image of the plankton included in the sample, anddisplays the generated image on a screen; and an image processing unit122 which analyzes each of pixels included in the screen on which thegenerated image is displayed and determines the number of planktonincluded in the sample, wherein the image processing unit 122 determinesa plurality of pixels belonging to the pixels included in the screen andcontinuously emitting light to be a single object, calculates a totalnumber of objects included in the screen, and determines the totalnumber of objects to be a total number of target plankton included inthe screen.

Furthermore, the image processing unit 122 determines only acorresponding object belonging to the objects and having the number of aplurality of pixels continuously emitting light within a range of apredetermined number to be the target plankton and determines the totalnumber of target plankton included in the screen by calculates the totalnumber of target plankton included in the screen.

Furthermore, the image processing unit 122 excludes an object of theobjects determined to be the target plankton from the target plankton ifan average brightness or intensity value of light of all of pixelsforming a single object is out of a predetermined brightness tointensity range of light.

In accordance with the present invention, such as that described above,there can be provided the plankton examination apparatus capable ofchecking the number of individuals of plankton included in a sample bydetecting a fluorescent characteristic of the plankton included in thesample from a pipeline itself even without obtaining a separate sample.

Furthermore, in accordance with the present invention, there can beprovided the plankton examination apparatus capable of checking theaccurate number of individuals of plankton included in a sample bydetermining a plurality of pixels continuously emitting light in animage of the sample displayed on a screen to be a single plankton objectthrough the image processing unit.

Furthermore, there can be provided the plankton examination apparatuscapable of precisely checking only the number of individuals of actuallyproblematic target plankton and/or active plankton by previously settingconditions of the number of pixels for a plurality of pixels emittinglight to form a single object and/or conditions of average brightness orintensity of light of a plurality of pixels emitting light to form asingle object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view for illustrating an overall configurationof a plankton examination apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing the construction of a sub-pipe in which atransparent pipe unit has been formed.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing the construction of the planktonexamination apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view of the plankton examinationapparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view for illustrating the plankton examinationapparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a detection unit.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method for determining objects from an imageof a sample, preferentially extracting target plankton having a specificsize from the determined objects, and calculating a target body, thatis, a total number of final target plankton.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating that an additional filtering processfor active plankton has been added to FIG. 5.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a method for determining objects from an imageof a sample, preferentially extracting active plankton from thedetermined objects, and calculating a target body, that is, a totalnumber of final target plankton.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating that an additional filtering processfor target plankton having a specific size has been added to FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram further illustrating a detection unit.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   100: plankton examination apparatus according to the present        invention    -   110: optical filter unit 111: excitation filter    -   112: optical filter 120: detection unit    -   121: image acquisition unit 122: image processing unit    -   130: light induction member 141, 142, 143: support member    -   148: communication unit 149: display unit    -   150: light source unit

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The merits and characteristics of the present invention and a method forachieving the merits and characteristics will become more apparent fromembodiments described in detail in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

However, the present invention is not limited to the disclosedembodiments, but may be implemented in various different ways. Theembodiments are provided to only complete the disclosure of the presentinvention and to allow those skilled in the art to understand thecategory of the present invention. The present invention is defined bythe category of the claims. The same reference numbers will be used torefer to the same or similar elements throughout the drawings.

A plankton examination apparatus according to an embodiment of thepresent invention is described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view for illustrating an overall configurationof a plankton examination apparatus according to the present invention.FIG. 2 is a front view showing the construction of a sub-pipe in which atransparent pipe unit has been formed. FIG. 3 is a front view showingthe construction of the plankton examination apparatus according to thepresent invention. FIG. 4 is a front cross-sectional view of theplankton examination apparatus according to the present invention. FIG.5 is a perspective view for illustrating the plankton examinationapparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagramof a detection unit.

Furthermore, FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method for determining objectsfrom an image of a sample, preferentially extracting target planktonhaving a specific size from the determined objects, and calculating atarget body, that is, a total number of final target plankton. FIG. 8 isa flowchart illustrating that an additional filtering process for activeplankton has been added to FIG. 5. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a method fordetermining objects from an image of a sample, preferentially extractingactive plankton from the determined objects, and calculating a targetbody, that is, a total number of final target plankton. FIG. 10 is aflowchart illustrating that an additional filtering process for targetplankton having a specific size has been added to FIG. 7.

The plankton examination apparatus according to the present invention isan examination apparatus for plankton included in a sample, such asballast water or a variety of types of seawater and in particular, is atechnology very suitable for the examination of plankton for ballastwater.

The plankton examination apparatus according to a preferred embodimentof the present invention includes a sub-pipe 20 in which a transparentpipe unit 50 formed of a light-transmitting member is formed in somesection of the sub-pipe and through which a sample including planktonmoves, a light source unit 150 which radiates light from a direction onone side outside the transparent pipe unit 50 to a direction on theother side of the transparent pipe unit 50, a detection unit 120 whichreceives light radiated from the light source unit 150 to the directionon the other side outside the transparent pipe unit through thetransparent pipe unit 50 and generates an image of the plankton includedin the sample flowing through the transparent pipe unit 50, and anoptical filter 112 installed between the transparent pipe unit and thedetection unit in such a way as to transmit only red-series light thatbelongs to the light radiated by the light source unit and passedthrough the transparent pipe unit and that has a wavelength of 620 nm to780 nm and to deliver only the red-series light to the detection unit.

That is, the plankton examination apparatus according to the presentinvention is an apparatus in which the transparent pipe unit 50 of alight-transmitting material is formed in some section of a pipe throughwhich ballast water or seawater moves and which radiates light to thetransparent pipe unit 50 and determines the number of individuals ofplankton included in a sample by detecting an image of plankton includedin ballast water or seawater, that is, the sample passing through thetransparent pipe unit 50.

In this case, if the light source unit 150 radiates only blue-serieslight having a wavelength of 380 nm to 480 nm, an excitation filter 111to be described later is exclude between the light source unit 150 andthe transparent pipe unit 50. If the light source unit 150 radiateslight to the entire visible ray region, the excitation filter 111 fortransmitting only blue-series light that belongs to the light radiatedby the light source unit 150 and has a wavelength of 380 nm to 480 nmand for delivering only the blue-series light to the transparent pipeunit 50 will be installed between the light source unit 150 and thetransparent pipe unit 50.

That is, if the light source unit 150 radiates only light having awavelength of 380 nm to 780 nm, the plankton examination apparatusaccording to the present invention is configured to include the sub-pipein which the transparent pipe unit 50 formed of a light-transmittingmember is formed in some section of the sub-pipe and through which asample including plankton moves, the light source unit 150 whichradiates only blue-series light having a wavelength of 380 nm to 480 nmfrom the direction on one side outside the transparent pipe unit to thedirection on the other side of the transparent pipe unit, the detectionunit 120 which receives light radiated from the light source unit to thedirection on the other side outside the transparent pipe unit throughthe transparent pipe unit and generates an image of the planktonincluded in the sample flowing through the transparent pipe unit, and adichroic mirror 112 installed between the transparent pipe unit and thedetection unit in such a way as to transmit only red-series light thatbelongs to the light radiated by the light source unit and passedthrough the transparent pipe unit and that has a wavelength of 620 nm to780 nm is transmitted and to deliver only the red-series light to thedetection unit.

Furthermore, if the light source unit 150 radiates light of the entirevisible ray region having a wavelength of 380 nm to 780 nm, the planktonexamination apparatus according to the present invention is configuredto include the sub-pipe in which the transparent pipe unit 50 formed ofa light-transmitting member is formed in some section of the sub-pipeand through which a sample including plankton moves, the light sourceunit 150 which radiates light from the direction on one side outside thetransparent pipe unit to the direction on the other side of thetransparent pipe unit, the detection unit 120 which receives lightradiated from the light source unit to the direction on the other sideoutside the transparent pipe unit through the transparent pipe unit andgenerates an image of the plankton included in the sample flowingthrough the transparent pipe unit, the excitation filter 111 installedbetween the light source unit and the transparent pipe unit in such away as to transmit only blue-series light that belongs to the lightradiated by the light source unit 150 and that has a wavelength of 380nm to 480 nm and to deliver only the blue-series light to thetransparent pipe unit, and the dichroic mirror 112 installed between thetransparent pipe unit and the detection unit in such a way as totransmit only red-series light that belongs to the light radiated by thelight source unit and passed through the transparent pipe unit throughthe excitation filter and that has a wavelength of 620 nm to 780 nm andto deliver only the red-series light to the detection unit.

That is, the plankton examination apparatus according to the presentinvention may be configured in two types in which the excitation filter111 is included or excluded depending on the case where the light sourceunit 150 radiates only the light of the wavelength of 380 nm to 480 nmand the case where the light source unit 150 radiates the light havingthe wavelength of 380 nm to 780 nm. A description of otherconfigurations may be the same as that of the above configurationsregardless of light radiated by the light source unit 150 and is asfollows.

The plankton examination apparatus according to the present inventionincludes the sub-pipe 50, the light source unit 150, the detection unit120, and the optical filter 112.

The sub-pipe 50 may be formed of a manifold branched from a main pipe 10through which ballast water or seawater actually moves.

The light source unit 150 is means functioning as a light source used inan optical microscope, etc. and may include a light source which emitslight having the lowest 380 nm, that is, the wavelength region of acommon visible ray, to a wavelength having a range of the highest 780 nmor emits only light having a wavelength of 380 nm to 480 nm. Adescription of the light source unit 150 has been described above.

That is, if the light source unit 150 includes a light source forradiating only the blue-series light having the wavelength of 380 nm to480 nm, the element of the excitation filter 111 to be described lateris excluded.

That is, if the light source unit 150 radiates light having the entirewavelength region of a common visible ray, it is preferred that theexcitation filter 111 is installed between the light source unit and thetransparent pipe unit so that only the blue-series light of 380 nm to480 nm of light radiated by the light source unit 150 is transmitted anddelivered to the transparent pipe unit.

In contrast, if the light source unit 150 itself radiates only the lighthaving the wavelength of 380 nm to 480 nm, the element of the excitationfilter 111 will be excluded.

The detection unit 120 is means for collecting light of the light sourceunit 150, which is received by the sample moving through the transparentpipeline 50 and reflected by the sample, and detecting an image of thereflected light. The detection unit 120 includes a camera used in anoptical microscope.

In this case, it is preferred that a camera capable of monitoring anobject of the smallest 10 μm is used as the camera used in the detectionunit 120 and the camera has resolution of 1250*1250 pixels or more.

That is, the detection unit 120 is means for detecting an image byfocusing light which is reflected by a sample moving through thetransparent pipeline 50 and then passes through the optical filter 112.The detection unit 120 is disposed at the location opposite the lightsource unit 150 in such a way as to receive light emitted by the lightsource unit 150, focus light reflected by plankton included in thesample, and detect an image of the plankton included in the sample.

That is, if the light source unit 150 radiates light of the entireregion of a visible ray, the excitation filter 111 allows onlyblue-series light belonging to the light radiated by the light sourceunit and having a wavelength of 380 nm to 480 nm to pass through thetransparent pipe unit 150.

Thereafter, the light passing through the excitation filter 111 passesthrough the optical filter 112 as red-series light of 620 nm to 780 nm,which is radiated by plankton moving through the transparent pipe unit150. In this case, the optical filter 112 transmits only the red-serieslight having the wavelength of 620 nm to 780 nm so that it is deliveredto the detection unit 120.

In this case, if the light source unit 150 radiates only the blue-serieslight having the wavelength of 380 nm to 480 nm, only the excitationfilter 111 will be excluded.

That is, the energy level of the blue-series light having the wavelengthof 380 nm to 480 nm delivered to the transparent pipe unit 150 isconverted into that of the red-series light having the wavelength of 620nm to 780 nm through photosynthesis of chlorophyll included in planktonpresent within the transparent pipe unit 150, and thus the red-serieslight having the wavelength of 620 nm to 780 nm is radiated. In thiscase, the dichroic mirror 112 transmits the radiated red-series lighthaving the wavelength of 620 nm to 780 nm toward the detection unitwithout any change, thereby generating an image of phytoplanktonincluded in the sample, that is, an object to be examined in the imageacquisition unit of the detection unit.

A first light induction member 210 which prevents interference withexternal light and allowing light radiated by the light source unit 150to be delivered to the transparent pipe unit 50 without interference maybe coupled between the light source unit 150 and the transparent pipeunit 50.

Furthermore, a second light induction member 230 which preventsinterference with external light, penetrates the transparent pipe unit150, and allows light reflected by plankton included in the sample to befocused on the detection unit 120 may be coupled between the transparentpipe unit 150 and the detection unit 120.

In this case, the excitation filter 111 may be installed within thefirst light induction member 210, and the optical filter 112 may beinstalled within the second light induction member 230.

In this case, a housing 200 which modulates the light source unit 150,the transparent pipe unit 50, and the first and the second lightinduction members 210 and 230 may be further included.

The detection unit 120 includes an image acquisition unit 121 whichdetects light reflected by plankton included in the sample, generates animage of the plankton included in the sample, and displays the generatedimage on a screen and an image processing unit 122 which analyzes eachof pixels included in the screen on which the generated image isdisplayed, determines the number of plankton included in the sample,determines a plurality of pixels that belongs to the pixels included inthe screen and continuously emits light to be a single object,calculates a total number of objects included in the screen, anddetermines the total number of objects to be a total number of targetplankton included in the screen.

That is, the image acquisition unit 121 detects light passed through theoptical filter 112, that is, light reflected by plankton included in thesample and generates an image of the plankton included in the sample.

Furthermore, the image processing unit 122 analyzes each of the pixelsincluded in the screen on which the generated image is displayed,determines the number of plankton included in the sample, determines aplurality of pixels that belongs to the pixels included in the screenand continuously emits light to be a single object, calculates a totalnumber of objects included in the screen, and determines the totalnumber of objects to be a total number of target plankton included inthe screen.

The image acquisition unit 121 includes the aforementioned camera and ismeans for detecting light reflected by plankton included in the sampleand generating an image of the plankton included in the sample.

It is preferred that a camera capable of monitoring an object of thesmallest 10 μm is used as the camera forming the image acquisition unit121 as described above. It is preferred that the camera has resolutionof 1250*1250 pixels or more.

The image processing unit 122 is means for determining the number ofplankton included in the sample by analyzing the image generated by theimage acquisition unit 121.

In this case, the image processing unit 122 determines the number ofplankton included in the sample by analyzing each of the pixels includedin the screen on which the generated image is displayed.

That is, an image of plankton is displayed on the screen on which theimage is displayed by red-series light reflected by the plankton. Thenumber of displayed images of the plankton is checked.

In this case, the image processing unit 122 determines a plurality ofpixels that belongs to the pixels included in the screen andcontinuously emits light to be a single object, determines each of thedetermined objects to be a single plankton object, and calculates thenumber of individuals of plankton included in the sample, that is, thenumber of individuals of target plankton.

That is, the image processing unit 122 determines a plurality of pixelsthat belongs to the pixels forming the screen, emits red-series light,and continuously emits light to be a single object forming a singlepiece of plankton and calculates a total number of target plankton, thatis, an object to be examined which is included in the screen.

In this case, it is preferred that the image processing unit 122performs processing so that the plurality of pixels that is determinedto be the single object and that continuously emits light includes onlypixels continuously emitting light within a predetermined contrast rangealong with neighboring pixels. That is, it is preferred that the imageprocessing unit 122 sets the plurality of pixels that is determined tobe the single object and that continuously emits light as a plurality ofpixels that belongs to the pixels included in the screen and that iscontinuously present within a predetermined contrast range along withone or more neighboring pixels.

That is, assuming that 5 pixels forming a single object continuouslyemit light, if 3 of the 5 pixels continuously emit light within therange of a predetermined contrast range and the remaining 2 pixelscontinuously emit light out of the range of the predetermined contrastrange, only the 3 pixels continuously emitting light within the range ofthe predetermined contrast range is determined to form a single object.In this case, the image processing unit 122 may determine that thecorresponding object includes only the 3 pixels.

The image processing unit 122 determines a plurality of pixels thatbelongs to the pixels included in the screen and continuously emitslight to be a single object, calculates a total number of the objectsincluded in the screen, and determines a total number of the targetplankton included in the screen, but may determine only objects thatbelong to the objects and each have the number of a plurality of pixelscontinuously emitting light within the range of a predetermined numberto be target plankton.

That is, only when the number of a plurality of pixels forming thesingle object is within the range of a predetermined number, theplurality of pixels is determined to be target plankton to becalculated.

This is for excluding floating matters, etc. other than plankton to beactually checked by previously setting the range of the number ofcontinuous pixels corresponding to the size of actually problematictarget plankton.

That is, assuming that the number of a plurality of pixels continuouslyemitting light in the screen was detected to be 10, that is, 10 objectswere detected, and the range of the predetermined number of pixelscontinuously emitting light so that they are determined to be a singlepiece of target plankton was preset to be 4˜6, if 2 pixels continuouslyemit light in 2 of the 4 objects of the 10 objects, 15 pixelscontinuously emit light in the remaining 2 of the 4 objects of the 10objects, and 4 to 6 pixels continuously emit light only in the remaining6 objects of the 10 objects, only the remaining 6 objects are determinedto be target plankton and determined to be a total number of targetplankton included in the screen.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the image processing unit 122 excludesan object of the objects determined to be the target plankton from thetarget plankton if an average brightness or intensity value of light ofall of pixels forming a single object is out of a predeterminedbrightness to intensity range of light.

The reason for this is that a specific range of brightness to intensityof light emitted by actually problematic plankton is previously set andonly when an average brightness or intensity value of light of aplurality of pixels forming each of the objects is included in thepredetermined specific range of brightness to intensity of light, acorresponding object is determined to be active target plankton that isactually alive and active.

That is, this is for excluding deactivated objects of determined objectsand including only actually active objects of the determined objects inthe final calculation because deactivated, that is, actually deadplankton that rarely has activity, generates intensity o brightness ofweak light.

For example, in the above example, if the intensity range of brightnessof light for each of images of plankton that is active as an actualliving body is, for example, a range of 10 luces to 20 luces and a rangeof predetermined brightness is set as 10 luces to 20 luces in the imageprocessing unit, target plankton that belongs to the 6 pieces of targetplankton and is out of the range of 10 luces to 20 luces is excludedfrom actual target plankton.

In this case, a certain range of the predetermined brightness orintensity of light may be set using various existing units forbrightness or intensity of light, such as lumen (the speed of light) orlux (luminous intensity), or a candela (cd).

Furthermore, the detection unit digitizes the image of the collectedlight and represents the image so that it has a value between 0 at whichbrightness of each of the pixels forming the image has not been actuallydetected and 256 at which brightness of each of the pixels forming theimage has the greatest brightness of light. A certain range of thepredetermined brightness or intensity of light may be previously set ina range of a proper value between the values 0 to 256.

The plankton examination apparatus according to the present inventionmay further include a communication unit 148 which is connected to thedetection unit 120 and capable of receiving an image of planktongenerated by the image acquisition unit 121 and/or information about atotal number of target plankton calculated by the image processing unit122 and transmitting the image and information to a separate examinationand check system.

Furthermore, the plankton examination apparatus according to the presentinvention may further include a display unit 149 connected to thedetection unit 120 and for displaying an image of plankton generated bythe image acquisition unit 121 and/or information about a total numberof target plankton calculated by the image processing unit 122.

Through the aforementioned construction, the present invention providesthe plankton examination apparatus directly installed in a pipelinethrough which ballast water or seawater moves and capable of preciselychecking a total number of individuals of problematic plankton includedin a sample using ballast water or seawater included in the transparentpipe unit 50 as the sample.

Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains willappreciate that the present invention may be implemented in otherdetailed forms without departing from the technical spirit or essentialcharacteristics of the present invention. Accordingly, theaforementioned embodiments should be understood as being onlyillustrative, but should not be understood as being restrictive from allaspects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the followingclaims rather than the detailed description, and the meanings and scopeof the claims and all changes or modified forms derived from theirequivalents should be construed as falling within the scope of thepresent invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A plankton examination apparatus, comprising: asub-pipe in which a transparent pipe unit comprising alight-transmitting member formed in some section of the sub-pipe andthrough which a sample comprising plankton moves; a light source unitwhich radiates only blue-series light having a wavelength of 380 nm to480 nm from a direction on one side outside the transparent pipe unit toa direction on an other side of the transparent pipe unit; a detectionunit which receives light radiated in the direction on the other sideoutside the transparent pipe unit through the transparent pipe unit fromthe light source unit and generates an image of the plankton included inthe sample flowing through the transparent pipe unit; and a dichroicmirror installed between the transparent pipe unit and the detectionunit in such a way as to transmit only red-series light which belongs tothe light radiated by the light source unit and passed through thetransparent pipe unit and has a wavelength of 620 nm to 780 nm and todeliver the red-series light to the detection unit; wherein thedetection unit comprises: an image acquisition unit which detects lightreflected by the plankton included in the sample, generates the image ofthe plankton included in the sample, and displays the generated image ona screen; and an image processing unit which analyzes each of pixelsincluded in the screen on which the generated image is displayed anddetermines a number of the plankton included in the sample, wherein theimage processing unit determines a plurality of pixels belonging to thepixels included in the screen and continuously emitting light to be asingle object, calculates a total number of objects included in thescreen, and determines the total number of objects to be a total numberof target plankton included in the screen, wherein the image processingunit excludes an object of the objects determined to be the targetplankton from the target plankton if an average brightness or intensityvalue of light of all of pixels forming the object is out of apredetermined brightness or intensity range of light, that is, abrightness or intensity range of light emitted by alive targetplanktons.
 2. A plankton examination apparatus, comprising: a sub-pipein which a transparent pipe unit comprising a light-transmitting memberformed in some section of the sub-pipe and through which a samplecomprising plankton moves; a light source unit which radiates light froma direction on one side outside the transparent pipe unit to a directionon an other side of the transparent pipe unit; a detection unit whichreceives light radiated in the direction on the other side outside thetransparent pipe unit through the transparent pipe unit from the lightsource unit and generates an image of the plankton included in thesample flowing through the transparent pipe unit; an excitation filterinstalled between the light source unit and the transparent pipe unit insuch a way as to transmit only blue-series light belonging to the lightradiated by the light source unit and having a wavelength of 380 nm to480 nm and to deliver the blue-series light to the transparent pipeunit; and a dichroic mirror installed between the transparent pipe unitand the detection unit in such a way as to transmit only red-serieslight which belongs to the light radiated by the light source unit andpassed through the transparent pipe unit through the excitation filterand has a wavelength of 620 nm to 780 nm and to deliver the red-serieslight to the detection unit; wherein the detection unit comprises: animage acquisition unit which detects light reflected by the planktonincluded in the sample, generates the image of the plankton included inthe sample, and displays the generated image on a screen; and an imageprocessing unit which analyzes each of pixels included in the screen onwhich the generated image is displayed and determines a number of theplankton included in the sample, wherein the image processing unitdetermines a plurality of pixels belonging to the pixels included in thescreen and continuously emitting light to be a single object, calculatesa total number of objects included in the screen, and determines thetotal number of objects to be a total number of target plankton includedin the screen, wherein the image processing unit excludes an object ofthe objects determined to be the target plankton from the targetplankton if an average brightness or intensity value of light of all ofpixels forming the object is out of a predetermined brightness orintensity range of light, that is, a brightness or intensity range oflight emitted by alive target planktons.
 3. The plankton examinationapparatus of claim 1, wherein: a first light induction member whichprevents interference with external light and allows the light radiatedby the light source unit to be delivered to the transparent pipe unitthrough the excitation filter without interference is coupled betweenthe light source unit and the transparent pipe unit, and a second lightinduction member which prevents interference with external light,penetrates the transparent pipe unit, and allows light reflected by theplankton included in the sample to be focused on the detection unit iscoupled between the transparent pipe unit and the detection unit.
 4. Theplankton examination apparatus of claim 1, wherein the image processingunit determines only a corresponding object belonging to the objects andhaving a number of a plurality of pixels continuously emitting lightwithin a range of a predetermined number to be the target plankton anddetermines the total number of target plankton included in the screen bycalculates the total number of target plankton included in the screen.5. The plankton examination apparatus of claim 2, wherein: a first lightinduction member which prevents interference with external light andallows the light radiated by the light source unit to be delivered tothe transparent pipe unit through the excitation filter withoutinterference is coupled between the light source unit and thetransparent pipe unit, and a second light induction member whichprevents interference with external light, penetrates the transparentpipe unit, and allows light reflected by the plankton included in thesample to be focused on the detection unit is coupled between thetransparent pipe unit and the detection unit.
 6. The planktonexamination apparatus of claim 2, wherein the image processing unitdetermines only a corresponding object belonging to the objects andhaving a number of a plurality of pixels continuously emitting lightwithin a range of a predetermined number to be the target plankton anddetermines the total number of target plankton included in the screen bycalculates the total number of target plankton included in the screen.